Welcome

The International Panorama Council is the international organization of panorama specialists committed to supporting the heritage and conservation of the few existing panoramas dating from the 19th and early 20th century, and the promotion of knowledge and awareness of the panorama, including its current relevance and development.

The main goal of the International Panorama Council is to promote professional trusteeship and to stimulate worldwide research and communication on panoramas, both historic and modern. IPC’s interests include the panorama phenomenon in a wider context including nineteenth-century derivatives of the panorama such as the moving panorama and the diorama as well as modern art forms that are closely related to the panorama, such as photography, film and video. IPC is active in the fields of restoration, research, financing, exhibiting and marketing of panoramas.

The International Panorama Council is a non-government and not-for-profit association, subject to Swiss law.

Fascinating visual spectacles

The word “panorama” is common in modern language. However, the term was originally coined in the 18th century for an extraordinary visual spectacle. A panorama (or a cyclorama as it is called in some parts of the world) is a purpose-built structure that contains a large 360-degree painting, creating an illusion of standing in the middle of a place and/or event. Natural lighting from a seemingly invisible source adds to the virtual experience. Through its efforts, the International Panorama Council strives to connect the past, present and future of the panorama phenomenon worldwide.